Vatican City
Before becoming pope, Francis supported extending legal protections to gay couples in Argentina. Those comments are now putting the Vatican in a bind.
Francis apologized for not greeting well-wishers at his weekly general audience, pointing a finger at "this lady called COVID, who does us so much harm."
The pope has courted some criticism for declining to wear a mask when indoors, even though Vatican regulations call for masks indoors and out when social distancing cannot be guaranteed.
The Holy See said Pope Francis does not meet with political figures in election periods.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
A new Vatican think tank wants the Mafia to stop exploiting the image of the Virgin Mary for their own illicit ends.
The pontiff maintained social distance but didn't wear a mask as he greeted about 500 Catholics gathered in a Vatican courtyard.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis celebrated Mass in a largely empty St. Peter’s Basilica.
Tourists won't be allowed to visit the world-famous Catholic pilgrimage site until at least early April.
The pontiff has canceled his main public appearances to avoid crowds gathering to see him.
An internal investigation found a multi-generational chain of abuse inside the religious order.